12x12 1/2 Way There Blog Party

12×12 1/2 Way There Blog Party

June 27, 2012 by Laura Anne Miller

12x12 blog party

12×12 1/2 Way There Party

Is the cup half empty or half full? Definitely 1/2 FULL!!!! YAY!!!! Thanks to Julie Hedlund and the awesome 12x12x12 writer’s group I have 10 picture book drafts in six months!! Gang you are awesome!! The amount of creativity, spunk, encouragement, news, incentives and cheers just keeps rolling in.

Back in January as I was in my third month of having committed to become a children’s picture book writer/illustrator at age 58, I discovered the little blog that could. A challenge to commit to doing 12 manuscripts in 12 months in 2012. H-m-m-m-m…intriguing……with prizes and incentives…..super guest posts….but me??? I’m only a fledgling writer…I don’t know if I could be considered a ‘real’ writer. Wait a minute….what’s this about pre-published writers…(does that mean the originator of 12x12x12 is not published yet?) *Gasp* But, then, I’m a ‘pre-published’ author too! What a great, positive way of looking at things!

Click here to visit other 12×12 blog parties

I’ll try this on for size! So I signed up. And now we’re 1/2 way there!! Enter marching band, light the sky rockets, cue the cheerleaders!

I now actually have 10 manuscripts, including one book dummy, 2 storyboards and a list of about a dozen ideas. In my previous three months I only had a pocket full of self doubt and not a single ‘real’ story.

12x12er’s you have touched the depths of my heart and left inkprints on my soul. The energy of this group is a beacon to keep us on course and a light to give us hope. Shine on and congratulations and blessings to you all for the next six months!

Posted in 12x12 Writing Group, Blogging, Children's Book Writers, Picture Book Writers/Illustrator | Tagged Blog Party, Children's Books, Writing | 59 Comments

59 Responses

on June 27, 2012 at 10:45 pm | Reply Beth Stilborn

Wow, what a fantastic post and wonderful results in your first 6 months of 12 x 12! (And I love your party set-up. That tea pot is delightful!!! and half a cuppa, and half a pie… ooooh, that’s clever.)

YAY You! YAY Us! YAY 12 x 12! Happy Half-Way There!!!!
- on June 27, 2012 at 10:51 pm | Reply Laura Anne Miller
  
  Beth – do you ever sleep?? You are always smiling at me on FB first thing in the morning…and at 11 at night too! Love you – oh I just referred a local friend to your blog today and told her how great you are!
  - on June 27, 2012 at 11:56 pm Beth Stilborn
    
    Wow, thanks! (and yes, I do sleep… at times!)
on June 27, 2012 at 11:37 pm | Reply Cathy C. Hall

TEN manuscripts! Awesome! It is NEVER too late to go for it–or to party, either! BIG congrats and love the half pie!
- on June 28, 2012 at 2:33 pm | Reply Laura Anne Miller
  
  Thanks, Cathy.
on June 27, 2012 at 11:40 pm | Reply Penny Klostermann

Really great post! I agree with Beth..that tea pot is so cute. I love your creativity! Congrats on all your progress!
- on June 28, 2012 at 2:34 pm | Reply Laura Anne Miller
  
  Thanks, Penny. The teapot and cups were a delightful gift one Mother’s Day. They make me smile.
on June 28, 2012 at 12:20 am | Reply Jennifer Young

Wahoo on your 10 – Congrats!!! Great picture Laura
- on June 28, 2012 at 2:54 pm | Reply Laura Anne Miller
  
  Thanks, Jennifer. It wasn’t exactly a great hair day – but my daughter was over and took the pic. If my hubby had done it you’d have a great pic of his thumb.
on June 28, 2012 at 12:30 am | Reply viviankirkfield

Hi Laura…so nice to meet you via 12×12. I love the “pocketful of self-doubt”…support groups are very helpful…especially this one, I think.
Congrats on all of your accomplishments in the first half and happy writing for the second! And you are just a young thing…I turned 65 a few months ago…and I’m also ecstatic to have discovered Julie and this amazing group!
- on June 28, 2012 at 2:41 pm | Reply Laura Anne Miller
  
  Thanks, Vivian. I guess if life begins at 40, and 50 is the new 40 then we are only 8 and 15 yrs.
  - on June 29, 2012 at 1:35 am viviankirkfield
    
    You are soooo funny…thanks for giving me a smile that will last the rest of the day.
on June 28, 2012 at 2:18 am | Reply Pamela Courtney

First, I love that beautiful wood table. Next, you’re a wonder, lady! Congrats on all of your manuscripts! Two clinks of the crystal goblets to you. I love your literary tablescape, very creative! I especially love the works: “Left an inkprints on my soul__quite lyrical. So glad I stopped by.
- on June 28, 2012 at 2:46 pm | Reply Laura Anne Miller
  
  Thanks, Pamela. The table was a handmade wedding gift, but it had a glass top–which was perfect for kid’s fingerprints and doggie noseprints on the underside. On our 10th wedding anniversary my folks paid to have the inlay done by a barber (who was also a master craftsmen) Even the table has its own story…the nicks when the ceiling fell in during a major rainstorm, the gouge where my husband was trying to fix something (without any padding). Hmmmm maybe there’s a picture book in this…..
on June 28, 2012 at 2:35 am | Reply tinamcho

Congratulations! Cute froggy teapot! Glad you found confidence for your writing in the 12×12!
- on June 28, 2012 at 2:47 pm | Reply Laura Anne Miller
  
  Thanks Tina.
on June 28, 2012 at 6:25 am | Reply Melissa

Congratulations That pie looks delicious…
- on June 28, 2012 at 2:49 pm | Reply Laura Anne Miller
  
  The pie was delicious…I mean the piece I had was…I wouldn’t eat the whole 1/2 by myself…no, not me. Okay – there’s nothing left – I ate it.
on June 28, 2012 at 7:17 am | Reply Sheri Cook

WOW! You are a very productive path so far as we cross over the half-way mark in 12x12in2012 PB Challenge! Congrats and continued success wished for you!
- on June 28, 2012 at 2:49 pm | Reply Laura Anne Miller
  
  Thanks, Sheri, for stopping by.
on June 28, 2012 at 11:34 am | Reply thiskidreviewsbooks

May I make that pie LESS than half? Good job and good luck!
- on June 28, 2012 at 2:50 pm | Reply Laura Anne Miller
  
  Yes Erik, and I still have the other 1/2 in the freezer.
on June 28, 2012 at 11:40 am | Reply Julie Rowan-Zoch

A whole-way round of applause – love the picture, and thanks for the invite!
- on June 28, 2012 at 2:50 pm | Reply Laura Anne Miller
  
  Thanks, Julie!
on June 28, 2012 at 12:31 pm | Reply Loni Edwards (@LoniEdwards)

Wow! What a great job! What a productive 6 months you had. How wonderful! Here’s to 6 more months of creativity and inspiration.
- on June 28, 2012 at 2:51 pm | Reply Laura Anne Miller
  
  Thanks, Loni! It doesn’t seem like 6 months. Wonder if these last 6 will go as fast?
on June 28, 2012 at 2:20 pm | Reply Donna Martin

Laura, of course you’re a writer! And I love your tea set! Congrats on making it through the first six months and here’s to the next six…
- on June 28, 2012 at 2:52 pm | Reply Laura Anne Miller
  
  Thanks, Donna for the encouragement. I always look for your happy little guy. Did you draw him?
on June 28, 2012 at 2:46 pm | Reply Joanna

Laura, love this post, it is so full of life, optimism, creativity and thankfulness. 10 manuscripts – you’re on a roll, m’dear! Coming over to sip tea and eat pie with ya to celebrate!
- on June 28, 2012 at 2:53 pm | Reply Laura Anne Miller
  
  Thanks, Joanna….I’d rather swim on over to you, tho’ never been where you live!
on June 28, 2012 at 4:35 pm | Reply Jarm Del Boccio

I so agree, Laura…our group is amazing! And you are going full speed ahead. It must be the carbs in the pie?!
- on June 28, 2012 at 10:25 pm | Reply Laura Anne Miller
  
  You’re right, Jarm, and I have the hips to prove it!
on June 28, 2012 at 4:46 pm | Reply Romelle Broas

Congratulations, writer (yes, I am talking to you, Laura)! Lovely picture. I adore your frog mug- very cute. And I love how organize you are with a seperate binder for your printed manuscripts. And that pie! I see you ate half…to represent the halfway mark? Go ahead and eat it all. You know you are going to make through another 6 months. )
- on June 28, 2012 at 10:27 pm | Reply Laura Anne Miller
  
  Thanks for the affirmation, Romelle. And if I eat any more pie I’ll have a story to write about the ‘writer’ who ate one too many pecan pies and exploded all over the place!
on June 28, 2012 at 5:16 pm | Reply Carrie F

10 manuscripts, wow! That is amazing. Here’s to 10 more (maybe??) in the second half.
- on June 28, 2012 at 10:29 pm | Reply Laura Anne Miller
  
  I have a feeling I was strong in the first lap – but who knows maybe I’ll get a burst of energy toward the finish line.
on June 28, 2012 at 7:09 pm | Reply Eric Van Raepenbusch - Happy Birthday Author

I heard there was pecan pie and I had to stop by! I love pecan pie, especially my mom’s recipe! Congrats on your 10 manuscripts! Good luck with the rest of the year! Let me know if you need some help with the pie
- on June 28, 2012 at 10:33 pm | Reply Laura Anne Miller
  
  Thanks, Eric. My recipe has been in the family since freezer’s were invented. It is from my great aunt Sara (Lee, that is).
on June 28, 2012 at 10:08 pm | Reply Genevieve Petrillo

Another overachiever! Wow! Congratulations! I’m jealous of all that work, AND of that big ole hunk of pie!
- on June 28, 2012 at 10:35 pm | Reply Laura Anne Miller
  
  Not so much overachieving as ‘I better make sure it looks like I’m working or my husband will make me get a ‘real job.” LOL Would Cupcake help me finish the pie?
on June 30, 2012 at 1:09 am | Reply patientdreamer

Oh wow! Loved the energy here, what a great party and congrats on your achievements Laura, you are a wonder! Here’s to the next 6 months! Cheers
- on June 30, 2012 at 8:57 am | Reply Laura Anne Miller
  
  Energy!! That’s what this odd feeling is….at 58 I thought it was something worse.
on June 30, 2012 at 4:19 am | Reply Rena J. Traxel

Congrats and keep up the hard work. Keep that self doubt at bay!
- on June 30, 2012 at 8:58 am | Reply Laura Anne Miller
  
  Thanks, Rena! Keeping self doubt away is what 12×12 has done for us all!
on June 30, 2012 at 1:25 pm | Reply cynthia iannaccone

Wow-10! Congratulations! and good luck with the next half!
- on July 2, 2012 at 9:27 am | Reply Laura Anne Miller
  
  Thanks, Cynthia!
on July 2, 2012 at 3:13 pm | Reply Deb Lund

Woo-Hoo! Yes! Half-full, and ready to party! I feel like I’m there across the table from you. ; )
- on July 3, 2012 at 10:55 am | Reply Laura Anne Miller
  
  Thanks, Deb! Feel like I should know you – one of my best friends in high school was Deb and when she got married became Deb Lund.:)
on July 2, 2012 at 5:42 pm | Reply moonduster

Beautiful post! Congrats on completing 10 manuscripts already! Happy Halfway!
- on July 3, 2012 at 10:55 am | Reply Laura Anne Miller
  
  Thanks for coming to the party!
on July 2, 2012 at 8:18 pm | Reply Heather Newman (@HeatherNewman12)

I think that is the best tea set I have seen in a long time! Congratulations on pursuing your writing dreams and here’s to many more months of ideas and writing.
- on July 3, 2012 at 10:56 am | Reply Laura Anne Miller
  
  Isn’t it just a fun tea pot?! You can’t stay in unhappy sipping from the cups or pouring. Thanks for stopping by!
on July 2, 2012 at 9:37 pm | Reply Lynn A. Davidson

58, huh? hmmm you know, that’s not anything to sniffle at, seeing as I know another writer who is that age and took on this challenge.
Yay! for you! Keep it up, I know you can.
- on July 3, 2012 at 10:58 am | Reply Laura Anne Miller
  
  Hmmm, Lynn, are you revealing any names? We should start our own group – call it half-way-up the hill? Thanks and Best of all to you!
on July 3, 2012 at 7:44 am | Reply Catherine Johnson

That’s fantastic progress, congrats!
- on July 3, 2012 at 10:58 am | Reply Laura Anne Miller
  
  Thanks, Catherine – and also for stopping by!
on July 5, 2012 at 10:27 am | Reply Stacy S. Jensen

Laura, Mind sharing a few crumbs of the pie. Just a little? Wonderful that you have accomplished so much. I agree the 12x community is wonderful. I’m happy you now have a pocketful of ideas and manuscripts.
- on July 5, 2012 at 5:28 pm | Reply Laura Anne Miller
  
  Thanks, Stacy – and yes, I will share while I’m adding more pockets to my apron for more ideas and ms.
on July 5, 2012 at 11:03 pm | Reply SevenAcreSky

Laura, you told my story! 58, daring to turn this passion into something real, discovering the possibilities, stumbling across this 12 x 12 in 2012 thing…BOOM! Instant support, encouragement, and progress. No, I don’t have 10, only 5.12354 PB manuscripts done, but a lot of other writing that has been inspired, instructed, and improved by what I’ve learned with this group of writers. Congrats, and on to the next 6 months of success.